Today, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department of Commerce would join with other federal government agencies for the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative. The new initiative builds on the already substantial efforts by the Trump Administration to provide increased economic opportunity for women around the world.

“The world benefits when women are empowered to fully engage in the economy and society in general,” said Secretary Wilbur Ross. “I am proud that the Department of Commerce features women in key leadership roles and I look forward to utilizing the Department’s resources to help ensure women in developing countries have the tools they need for greater economic participation.” 

“The impact of this important initiative will be felt for generations, bolstering both local communities and the world alike,” said Deputy Secretary Karen Dunn Kelley. “Furthering women’s economic empowerment globally will lead to both stronger relationships with the United States and more prosperous communities for the women supported by this effort.”  

Announced today, the Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative is an effort to operationalize the Trump Administration’s emphasis on empowering women as envisioned in the National Security Strategy. The Initiative will help ensure that agency efforts are in line with and work cohesively with the Trump Administration’s prioritization of policies to help women more fully participate in the economy.

As part of the Initiative, the Department of Commerce will work with other government agencies, an international team of multilateral and bilateral partners, and private sector entities to increase access for women to the skills and resources that they need to thrive in the economy.